“Juffrouw Laps, answer me one question.”
“Yes, Master Pennewip, but——”
“Answer me, Juffrouw Laps, where do you live?”
“Where I live? Why, in my room, down stairs—two windows—front entrance——”
“You miss the significance of my question entirely, Juffrouw Laps. The meaning would be similar if I were to ask you if you belonged to that class of organisms that live in oyster-shells.”
“Yes, yes, Juffrouw Laps,” cried the triumphant hostess, “that’s the point—the main point!”
And Stoffel added that it was really and truly the main point.
Juffrouw Laps saw that she was hopelessly lost, for she had to admit to herself that she didn’t usually reside in an oyster-shell. She looked at the teacher with astonishment; but he paid no attention at all to the effect of his questions. Assuming a sort of legal manner—which was closely imitated by his wig, he continued:
“Can you live in water? Have you gills?”
“In water? But—Master Pennewip——”